Gov eyes in-state tuition for illegals

Governor Deval Patrick made good on a campaign promise Thursday when he announced he is looking into whether he can avoid the Legislature by unilaterally allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.Patrick’s announcement touched off strong reaction on Beacon Hill, where House lawmakers two years ago defied House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and defeated a bill that would have put all Massachusetts students on an even plain.”We have some legal research done to see whether it is possible to address that question without legislation,” said Patrick Thursday. “The answer to that is by no means clear.”Under the current system, undocumented high school graduates are not eligible for an in-state discount on tuition at the public institutions, even though many students have better grades and test scores than their American classmates.Students are still allowed to attend schools such as North Shore Community College or Salem State, but because of the large difference in out of state cost, an average of approximately $200 per credit at most schools, the majority of these students cannot afford to attend college.College administrators say this perceived injustice is actually hurting the state, especially in communities like Lynn, where undocumented students are having a hard time finding work without an education.”It is unfortunate (that students must pay full tuition), because in this case it isn’t costing the commonwealth any extra money to do this. They would be paying in-state tuition and in-state fees,” said North Shore Community College President Wayne Burton. “We have a high need in this state for educated people in our workforce and we are denying an education to 400 kids a year that would become good workers and good citizens.”According to one estimate, a tuition cut could cost the state upwards of $15 million, but Patrick’s camp argues that a Massachusetts Taxpayer’s Foundation report from 2006 indicates that a spike in new enrollment would actually generate $2.5 million in revenue.Burton has long been an advocate for this plan, and says he doesn’t believe these students should be punished because their parents failed to take the proper measures to become legal citizens.Recently, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell said it would look into allowing high school graduates from six New Hampshire communities in-state tuition because they are located in such a close proximity to the school. Burton says if the state allows that exception, they have no reason to prevent undocumented residents from doing the same.”These kids didn’t break any law, they willingly came here with their parents who failed to gain citizenship,” he said. “If we can give a special break to somebody in New Hampshire, why can’t we do the same for someone who lives in Massachusetts and will become a valuable worker in Massachusetts.”Burton says he frequently receives calls from guidance councilors in Lynn and other North Shore communities touting students who are doing all the right things, but simply cannot afford to pay the out of state tuition rates. Burton suggested the tuition could come with the understanding the student would work toward becoming a citizen, and if that did not happen in a certain amount of time, they would be responsible for paying the difference.”Think of it as giving them an advance on their citizenship,” he said.Patrick wants Massachusetts to join 10 states, California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Washington, which offer some illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates.Opposition to the proposal is rooted in the larger ideological issue of how to address illegal immigration. Opponents say the state shouldn’t be making it easier for undocumented residents who could take higher paying jobs from legal residents.”I’m amazed that he (Patrick) wants to be the sole person responsible for implementation for the wrong policy for Massachusetts,” said House Mi